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Preview: Northern Rock Cyclone

Event: 25th June 2011
Source: Northern Rock Cyclone

Looking for a bit more from a sportive weekend this summer? How about watching the pros in action on the same course?

That's what's on offer at the Northern Rock Cyclone - a weekend of cycling in and around Newcastle and Northumberland from 24 to 26 June where you can watch Elite riders in action at the Leazes Criteriums on the Friday night and ride for yourself on the Saturday. In addition to these events you can also see the pro's ride on Sunday in the British Cycling Men's and Women's National Elite Road Race Championships on the Sunday

It should all add together to make a great party atmosphere all weekend - as well as some great riding.

The Northern Rock Cyclone Challenge is well established as one of the UK's biggest sportives. In fact in 2010, it was the biggest sportive to be held on open road in the UK, and this year up to 5,000 riders are expected to sign up for the 33, 63 and 104 mile routes.

Starting the weekend on Friday 24 June, the Leazes Criteriums are a series of races round a short, tight circuit in Newcastle's Leazes Park. The evening starts with youth and amateur support races and builds to a finale with the elite race attracting some of the UK's top riders.

Whether you're new to cycling or a committed fanatic, it's a great chance to kick off the weekend sitting back with a drink and some food enjoying the atmosphere or to getting close to the action. And you can take the chance to meander around the trade village to look at the latest goodies from the likes of Madison too. Between 1pm an 9pm you can also sign on for Saturday's Northern Rock Cyclone Challenge, making it the perfect start to the weekend.

Inspired by the events of Friday night, there will be a great vibe on Saturday morning as up to 5,000 riders prepare to start the Northern Rock Cyclone Challenge. As with so many of the big sportives, the atmosphere comes from so many cyclists coming together to have a great time - from families taking part in the 33 mile shorter route to committed cycling nuts gearing up to tackle the longest 104 mile ride.

All three routes start out on the same roads from the Newcastle Falcons rugby ground and hit the back lanes of Northumberland where it soon becomes obvious that there's one thing missing - traffic. The first 15 miles of the routes are relatively easy, a good opportunity to take in the big skies and great views. After the village of Dyke Neuk, the climbs begin - mostly in the form of short, sharp ones.

Like at all good sportives, the organisers of Northern Rock Cyclone Challenge work to make the ride as simple and worry-free as possible. Well-stocked feed stations, electronic timing as well as a personalized completion certificate for every rider and photos available within 48 hours of the end of the ride add to the event. Bike backup is provided by mechanics from Madison, National Escort Group (NEG) motorcycle outriders accompany participants and the route is well marked out by Northumberland County Council. It gives everyone peace of mind, knowing that they won't get lost or be stranded out on some of the more remote parts of the course.

As if to show that the 63 and 104 mile options really are challenging, parts of the routes are shared with the British Cycling Men's and Women's National Elite Road Race Championships taking place on Sunday 26 June. This includes the infamous Ryals climb, a dead straight road that gets as steep as 30% in places. You can pedal up it on the Saturday in the comfort that you'll get to watch the pros make it look far, far easier the following day.

Thousands of cycling fans are set to line the route and the village of Stamfordham for the British Cycling Men's and Women's National Elite Road Race Championships. The races are the biggest single day of bike racing on the British Cycling calendar. With national championships taking place across Europe on the same day the race attracts the very best of British riders: last year's field included the like of international and Olympic stars Emma Pooley, Nicole Cooke, Geraint Thomas and Mark Cavendish.

2011 is the first time that the British Cycling Men's or Women's National Elite Road Race Championships ever visited the North East - and they're expected to be given a typically friendly North East welcome. With so much going on in one weekend, why not add yourself to the list of cyclists gathering in Newcastle from 24 to 26 June?

Getting there

It may be a long way north, but getting to the Northern Rock Cyclone and Men's and Women's National Elite Road Race Championships is surprisingly easy - and quick. For drivers, Newcastle is just off the A1 making it easy from almost anywhere. Trains from London run every 30 minutes and can take less than three hours while Trans Pennine Express trains run across the north from Manchester and Liverpool.

Budget airlines Ryanair, easyJet and Jet2.com, amongst others, all fly in to Newcastle from UK airports too so catching a plane can be practical too.

And to make it even easier, organisers have set up special travel and accommodation deals which include transfer of bikes from hotels to the start of the Northern Rock Cyclone Challenge. What's more you can make the weekend even more special by treating yourself to a VIP package for the British Cycling Men's and Women's National Elite Road Race Championships where you'll get taken to see the race at the best parts of the course with food and drink provided all day followed by the chance to get up close to the podium after the race. Find out about all this - and more at www.northernrockcyclone.co.uk. You can also join the Northern Rock Cyclone group on Facebook or follow it on Twitter @nrcyclone.